San Carlos Boat Shopping

We arrived in San Carlos on Friday after 19 hours of travel, which included one car ride to Ensenada, a bus ride to Tijuana, another bus ride to Gauymas, Mexico topped off with yet another short local bus ride to San Carlos. Surprisingly, it all went rather smoothly. Our intention was to view three boats however, we had one in particular we were really interested in. After checking into our hotel we made arrangements with Don, the boat broker, to view the boats and he picked us up right away and off to Marina San Carlos we went. We viewed a 32 foot Westsail named 'Otter' and that was all we needed to see. She captured our hearts.

We departed the marina to discuss our next steps over margaritas and food. After all, the best decisions in life are made this way.

 

The next day we viewed the boat again, looked at every detail and asked more questions to allow us to decide if this could be our home on the water. Here's a few pics of the inside.

 

 

 

This is view of the stern with solar panels.

We decided we wanted this incredible boat to be our home and made an offer! This boat caught our attention a month ago and we were trying to determine how to travel the distance to San Carlos. Shortly thereafter, we noticed the boat was pending sale and we were very disappointed as it was fully equipped to set sail. To our delight, the previously interested buyer opted out and we jumped at the chance to view this beauty!

How do we celebrate making the offer? With beer...of course! And in styrofoam cups no less....not our first choice, but adapting to the culture is all part of the adventure.

Tomorrow is our sea trial which means the current owner, ourselves, the boat surveyor and the boat broker will take the boat out for a sail to explore all the workings. This means we've stayed in San Carlos an extra day. So here's a bit of how we spend some of our down time in 90 plus degree temperatures with 90% plus humidity! Enjoying the pool atop our hotel with great views!

 

Culinary Delights

Last week we went to the Punta Banda Yacht Club's annual Fish Fry. Punta Banda is the area where we are living in Baja. The Punta Banda Yacht Club...well, it's not exactly what you think...there's no marina here, no yachts, no sail boats, no club house. It's made up of "members" some of them own small fishing skiffs no larger than 16 feet. Now the Fish Fry, well, they did that up right.

The cooks offered YellowfinTuna, caught local, four different ways; sashimi, fried, foil baked and grilled along with side dishes. 

 

The sashimi was offered up with wasabi and soy and was caught the day before it was served. It was absolutely delicious! The freshest sushi we've had!

The turnout was a good one. The retired and semi-retired gringos gathered and lined up for the food.

 

We came away well fed and full!

Most of the time we are enjoying food we make at home and have come up with some fabulous creations! We love grilling and continue to enjoy grilling Baja style. Poncha created the most amazing dish; roasted jalapeño stuffed with feta wrapped in skirt steak! Highly recommended!

We also enjoy grilled chicken thighs with our homemade rub.

Today, we bought fresh tilapia at the fish market and grilled it up with green beans and topped it off with salsa I made.

We also enjoy a few homemade sweet treats like browned butter chocolate chip cookies!

Yes, we eat well, very well!

This for That

We're adapting to life in Mexico rather well. There are a few things we've traded from our Oregon life to our Mexico life which has allowed us to remain in balance!

We've traded our beloved double IPA beer for Mexican Tecate beer, which by the way tastes incredibly refreshing ice cold with lime during these hot Baja days!

We've traded our marvelous Kettle One Vodka Martini's served up with a lemon twist (best made at Teardrop Lounge in Portland) for margaritas made from scratch (best enjoyed with your loved one)!

  

We traded our government employment for manual labor jobs!

What the heck are these things besides the obvious!?

We traded our traditional weights for the above Baja style weights! 

 

  

Boot camp continues...NO EXCUSES!